Blood test basics
Differentialblutbild
In one sentence
The Differentialblutbild is the part of a blood test that splits your white blood cells into their five types: Neutrophile, Lymphozyten, Monozyten, Eosinophile and Basophile. The pattern between them helps a doctor tell a bacterial infection from a viral one or an allergy.
Your white blood cells are five different types rather than one single cell type, and the Differentialblutbild is the test that counts each type separately.
Each of the five types does a different job in your immune system:
- Neutrophile are the largest group and the first defence against bacteria.
- Lymphozyten recognise germs and build antibodies, so they often rise with viral infections.
- Monozyten are the cleanup crew that clears away debris in the body.
- Eosinophile respond to allergies and to parasites in the body.
- Basophile are the smallest group and they are involved in allergic reactions.
The pattern across these five types helps a doctor tell different situations apart, because a raised total white cell count on its own only says that something is going on in your body. The Differentialblutbild often shows which kind of cause is more likely, for example a bacterial infection instead of an allergy.
On its own the Differentialblutbild is rarely ordered, because it usually comes as the second half of the großes Blutbild, on top of the kleines Blutbild. As with all blood values, single small deviations from the reference range are common and a clinician reads them in context.
This glossary entry is general information, not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat or rule out any condition. Discuss your own results with a clinician who knows your history.
